Number format shortcuts in Excel: currency, percent, date and more
The keys
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Currency format with 2 decimalsNegatives show in parentheses; Microsoft's Mac list adds that they show in red. | Ctrl+Shift+$Web Ctrl+Shift+4 | Control+Shift+$ |
| Percentage format with no decimals0.25 shows as 25%. A 25 typed before formatting shows as 2500%. | Ctrl+Shift+%Web Ctrl+Shift+5 | Control+Shift+% |
| Date format with day, month and year | Ctrl+Shift+#Web Ctrl+Shift+3 | Control+Shift+# |
| Number format: 2 decimals, thousands separator, minus sign for negatives | Ctrl+Shift+!Web Ctrl+Shift+1 | Control+Shift+! |
| Time format with hour, minute and AM/PM | Ctrl+Shift+@Web Ctrl+Shift+2 | Control+Shift+@ |
| General number format | Ctrl+Shift+~ | Control+Shift+~ |
| Scientific format with 2 decimals | Ctrl+Shift+^Web Ctrl+Shift+6 | Control+Shift+^ |
Checked against Microsoft's official lists on . Where Microsoft lists a key for one platform only, the other column says so instead of guessing.
What each one looks like
- Ctrl+Shift+!: 1234.5 shows as 1,234.50.
- Ctrl+Shift+$: $1,234.50, in your system's currency, with negatives in parentheses.
- Ctrl+Shift+%: 0.25 shows as 25%, with no decimals.
- Ctrl+Shift+#: a date with day, month and year, such as 5-Nov-26.
- Ctrl+Shift+@: a time with hours, minutes and AM or PM.
- Ctrl+Shift+^: scientific, 1.23E+03.
- Ctrl+Shift+~: General, the default.
Formats change the look, not the value
A cell showing 25% still holds 0.25, and one showing $1,234.50 may hold 1234.4987. Calculations use the full value. If a percent shows as 2500%, the cell held 25, not 0.25; see percentage format problems. To round the value itself, use ROUND.
For codes like 0.0,,"M" or a date as "Mon 5 Nov", open Ctrl+1 > Custom. The number format codes reference has 50+ ready to copy.
When they do not work
- On a non-US layout the symbol may be on another key. In Excel for the web the digit versions avoid this; on the desktop, use Home > Number Format (Alt+H, N on Windows).
- The date shortcut does nothing to text that looks like a date. Convert it first: see converting text to dates.
- Numbers stored as text ignore number formats. Look for the green triangle.
Why a shortcut sometimes does nothing
Non-US keyboards
Microsoft's lists are written for the US keyboard layout and say that keys on other layouts might not correspond exactly. Shortcuts named after a symbol, such as Ctrl+;, Ctrl+` or Ctrl+Shift+$, are the ones most likely to sit somewhere else or not work. When one does nothing, use the ribbon route on its task page instead.
Excel for the web: the browser takes some keys
In a browser, a few keys belong to the browser first: F1 opens the browser's help, Ctrl+O opens a file, Ctrl+W closes the tab, and F6 moves around the browser. Excel for the web uses Ctrl+F6 instead of F6, Ctrl+Alt+Page Down for the next sheet in Chrome, and Alt+Windows key with a letter for ribbon tabs. To get desktop behavior back, go to Help > Keyboard Shortcuts and select Override browser shortcuts. If the file opened in Viewing mode, editing shortcuts do nothing until you switch to Editing.
Related shortcuts
| Shortcut | Windows | Mac |
|---|---|---|
| Open Format Cells How to: Merge cells shortcut in Excel Every number, date, alignment, border and protection option in one dialog. | Ctrl+1 | Command+1 or Control+1 |
| Open the Number Format list | Alt+H, N | —No Mac shortcut in Microsoft's list |
FAQ
What is the shortcut for currency format in Excel?
Ctrl+Shift+$ on Windows and Mac, Ctrl+Shift+4 in Excel for the web.
What is the shortcut for percentage format?
Ctrl+Shift+% on Windows and Mac, Ctrl+Shift+5 in Excel for the web.
How do I add decimals to a percentage?
The shortcut uses no decimals. Use Home > Increase Decimal, or Ctrl+1 > Percentage and set the decimal places.
How do I remove a number format?
Ctrl+Shift+~ applies General, which shows the raw value.
Related guides
- Excel percentage format wrong? How to fix itExcel stores a percentage as a fraction: 15% is 0.15.
- Excel date format not changing? Why, and how to fix itA number format only changes how a number looks, and real Excel dates are numbers.
- How to abbreviate large numbers in Excel (K, M, B)Select the cells, press Ctrl+1, choose Custom and type 0.0,,"M" to show 1,250,000 as 1.3M, or 0.0,"K" to show 45,300 as 45.3K.
- How to convert numbers stored as text in ExcelSelect the cells, click the yellow warning icon that appears, and choose Convert to Number.
Related functions
In the glossary: Number formatCustom number formatPercentage